Melvin Ember and HRAF,Anthropology’s Archive

The author discusses Melvin Ember’s impact as the long-time president of the Human Relations Area Files, which he refers to as “Anthropology’s Archive.” He discusses the digitization of the files, the development of new archives and encyclopedias, and some of the way the files are currently being used. He suggests much of the success of the Human Relations Area Files over the last quarter century can be attributed directly to Melvin Ember and his leadership.